ENGLISH FOR ARTS AND HUMANITIES PART 1

TEACHER SPECIFIC CONTENT

4.1 Introduction to Communication

Definition of Communication:
1. Communication is the process of sharing information, ideas, or feelings between
individuals or groups through verbal, non-verbal, or written methods.

2. Communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, opinions, or

emotions with others. It can be verbal or nonverbal, and can take place between
individuals or groups of people.

Verbal vs. Non-Verbal Communication:

• Verbal Communication:
o Spoken or written words used to convey a message.
o Examples: Phone calls, meetings, written reports.
• Non-Verbal Communication:
o Includes facial expressions, gestures, posture, tone of voice, and body
language.
o Examples: Smiling to show friendliness or crossing arms to signal
discomfort.

Enhancing or Contradicting Messages through Non-verbal cues:

• Non-verbal cues enhance messages by adding emotion or emphasis (e.g.,

nodding when agreeing).
• They can contradict messages if inconsistent (e.g., saying “I’m happy” with
a frown).

The Communication Process

1. Sender: Creates and sends the message.

 2. Message: The content being communicated.
3. Medium: The channel through which the message is sent (e.g., email,
speech).
4. Receiver: The person who interprets the message.
5. Feedback: The receiver’s response, confirming understanding or providing
input.

4.2 Informal Communication

Definition and Importance:

Informal communication occurs naturally without structured formats, fostering
stronger relationships and open dialogue.

Contexts:

• Social gatherings (parties, team lunches).

• Casual work settings (break rooms, informal chats).
• Personal relationships (friends, family).

Key Elements:

1. Tone and Language:

o Relaxed, friendly, and easygoing.
2. Humor and Lightness:
o Adds enjoyment and reduces stress during conversations.
3. Finding Common Ground:
o Discuss shared experiences or interests to strengthen bonds.
4. Colloquialisms and Slang:
o Using casual expressions makes conversations relatable but should be
context-appropriate.
4.3 Communication in Professional Settings

Professional Etiquette:

• Use polite and formal language, especially in written communication.

• Maintain clarity and avoid jargon unless necessary.
• Respect time by being concise and staying on topic.

Effective Teamwork Strategies:

• Clear Communication: Share ideas and information openly.

• Active Listening: Give full attention and acknowledge others’ contributions.
• Defined Roles: Ensure everyone knows their responsibilities.
• Constructive Feedback: Address issues respectfully to foster improvement.

Handling Difficult Conversations:

1. Stay Calm: Approach issues objectively without personal bias.

2. Empathize: Understand the other person’s perspective.
3. Use “I” Statements: Focus on expressing concerns clearly (e.g., "I feel
concerned about the delay").
4. Seek Solutions: Work collaboratively to resolve conflicts.

4.4 Public Speaking/Presentation Skills

Structuring a Presentation:

1. Introduction:
o Grab attention with a quote, question, or story.
o State your main points briefly.
2. Body:
o Expand on key points with examples, data, or visuals.
3. Conclusion:
o Summarize your points.
o End with a memorable takeaway or call to action.
Techniques for Audience Engagement:

• Use Visual Aids: Charts, slides, or videos to clarify ideas.

• Start and finish with impactful openers and closers.
• Incorporate storytelling or anecdotes to make it relatable.
• Encourage audience interaction through questions or discussions.

Managing Anxiety and Body Language:

• Practice: Rehearse thoroughly to build confidence.

• Relax: Use deep breathing exercises before presenting.
• Body Language: Maintain eye contact, stand straight, and use open gestures
to convey confidence.

4.5 Interview Skills

Types of Interviews:

1. Behavioural Interviews
These interviews ask candidates to describe how they've handled real-world
situations in the past. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is
often used to structure responses.
Example: "Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a conflict with a
coworker."
2. Situational Interviews
These interviews ask candidates how they would react to hypothetical
(imaginary) situations in the future. The STAR method can also be used to
answer these questions.
Example: "What would you do if a team member missed an important
deadline and it affected the project?"
3. Panel Interviews
In these interviews, two or more people interview the candidate at the same
time. The panel typically includes potential supervisors, team members, HR
specialists, and other decision-makers.
 Example: A group of 3-4 interviewers asks questions like:
• "How do you prioritize tasks?"
• "Can you describe a time when you worked with a difficult client?"

Importance of Research and Preparation

• Study the company’s mission, recent achievements, and role requirements.

• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the role or
organization.

Mock/Peer Interview Sessions

• Practice with a peer to simulate real interviews.

• Focus on clarity, tone, and body language.
• Use feedback to improve responses and build confidence.
•

COMMON QUESTIONS AND EFFECTIVE RESPONSES

• 1. Tell me about yourself.

• Response Tip: Provide a concise summary of your background, skills, and
experience that are most relevant to the role. Focus on your strengths and
how they align with the job.
• Example: "I’m a marketing professional with 5 years of experience in
digital campaigns. I specialize in social media strategy and content creation.
I’m excited about this role because it aligns with my expertise in growing
online presence."
•
• 2. Why do you want to work here?
• Response Tip: Demonstrate knowledge about the company and align your
values and career goals with their mission and culture.
• Example: "I admire your company's commitment to innovation and
sustainability, which are important values to me. I believe my background in
product development can contribute to your goals."
•
• 3. What are your strengths?
• Response Tip: Highlight a strength that is relevant to the job and provide a
specific example.
• Example: "One of my strengths is problem-solving. For instance, at my last
job, I identified a gap in customer service and implemented a new process
that improved response times by 20%."
•
• 4. What are your weaknesses?
• Response Tip: Be honest, but frame it as something you're actively working
to improve.
• Example: "I tend to be a perfectionist, which sometimes slows me down.
However, I’ve learned to focus on the bigger picture and prioritize tasks to
improve efficiency."
•
• 5. Why did you leave your last job?
• Response Tip: Be honest but focus on the positive. Avoid speaking
negatively about previous employers.
• Example: "I was looking for new challenges and growth opportunities that
align more closely with my long-term career goals."
•
• 6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Response Tip: Align your future goals with the opportunities the role offers,
showing ambition without being unrealistic.
• Example: "In 5 years, I hope to be in a leadership role, managing a team and
contributing to the company’s strategic direction."
•
• 7. Describe a difficult situation at work and how you handled it.
• Response Tip: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to
structure your answer.
• Example: "In a previous role, we had a tight deadline for a product launch. I
coordinated with cross-functional teams, delegated tasks, and ensured clear
communication. As a result, we launched the product on time and exceeded
sales expectations."
•
• 8. How do you handle stress or pressure?
• Response Tip: Highlight your ability to stay organized, prioritize tasks, and
stay calm under pressure.
• Example: "I stay focused by breaking down tasks into manageable steps and
maintaining a positive attitude. I also take short breaks to recharge when
needed."
•
• 9. How do you prioritize your work?
• Response Tip: Explain your approach to time management and decision-
making.
• Example: "I prioritize based on deadlines and the impact of each task. I use
tools like to-do lists and project management software to stay organized."
•
• 10. What makes you a good fit for this role?
• Response Tip: Match your skills and experiences with the key requirements
of the job.
• Example: "I have the technical skills and experience in data analysis that are
essential for this role, plus a proven track record of driving process
improvements in previous positions."
•
• 11. How do you handle criticism?
• Response Tip: Show that you’re open to feedback and see it as an
opportunity for growth.
• Example: "I appreciate constructive criticism because it helps me improve.
For example, after receiving feedback on my presentation style, I took a
course on public speaking and became more confident."
•
• 12. What is your greatest achievement?
• Response Tip: Choose an achievement that demonstrates your skills and
aligns with the job.
• Example: "My greatest achievement was leading a cross-functional team to
streamline our supply chain process, reducing costs by 15% while improving
delivery speed."
•
• 13. Why should we hire you?
• Response Tip: Summarize your unique strengths and how they will benefit
the company.
• Example: "I bring a unique combination of technical skills, project
management experience, and a passion for innovation that I believe will help
drive success in this role."
•
• 14. How do you work in a team?
• Response Tip: Emphasize your ability to collaborate and contribute to team
success.
• Example: "I’m a strong team player and value open communication. I like
to listen to others' ideas and contribute my own, ensuring everyone’s voice is
heard."
•
• 15. Tell me about a time you worked with a difficult colleague.
• Response Tip: Use the STAR method and focus on your ability to resolve
conflicts professionally.
• Example: "I worked with a colleague who had a different communication
style. We sat down to clarify expectations and found common ground, which
improved our collaboration."
•
• 16. What motivates you?
• Response Tip: Align your motivation with the role and the company’s
mission.
• Example: "I’m motivated by challenges and the opportunity to learn new
things. I thrive when I can contribute to meaningful projects that have a
direct impact on the company."
•
• 17. How do you stay organized?
• Response Tip: Describe the tools or strategies you use to manage your
workload.
• Example: "I use project management tools like Asana to track deadlines,
and I break down large tasks into smaller, actionable steps to stay on top of
my work."
•
• 18. Tell me about a time when you made a mistake.
• Response Tip: Show accountability and explain what you learned from the
experience.
• Example: "I once missed a small detail in a client proposal, which led to
some confusion. I took responsibility, corrected it, and put new processes in
place to ensure it didn’t happen again."
•
• 19. How would your previous manager describe you?
• Response Tip: Highlight positive qualities that relate to the job.
• Example: "My previous manager would describe me as proactive, reliable,
and a strong communicator. I consistently met deadlines and took initiative
to solve problems."

• 20. Do you have any questions for us?

• Response Tip: Always ask thoughtful questions that show your interest in
the company and role.
• Example: "What does success look like in this role, and how do you
measure performance?"
"Can you tell me more about the team I would be working with?"